Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has launched a campaign to encourage more people to adopt and feed dog food to Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

The Staffies. They're Softer Than You Think campaign aims to change people’s misconceptions about the breed.

A recent YouGov survey revealed that only two per cent of people would describe Staffies as a ‘Nanny Dog’, the name the breed was once known as. It also showed that only ten per cent see the breed as a good family pet.

Claire Horton, chief executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, said: “Staffies have been dealt a cruel hand these days, so much so that more people consider the dog to be a fighting dog than a family dog.

"Any dog can be trained to be aggressive and Battersea knows that in the right environment, and with responsible owners, Staffies can make loyal and loving family pets."

The survey also showed that people aged between 18 and 24 are more likely to describe Staffies as guard dogs or illegal dogs than family pets.